1
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Melo MCR, Gomes DEB, Bernardi RC. Molecular Origins of Force-Dependent Protein Complex Stabilization during Bacterial Infections. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:70-77. [PMID: 36455202 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c07674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
The unbinding pathway of a protein complex can vary significantly depending on biochemical and mechanical factors. Under mechanical stress, a complex may dissociate through a mechanism different from that used in simple thermal dissociation, leading to different dissociation rates under shear force and thermal dissociation. This is a well-known phenomenon studied in biomechanics whose molecular and atomic details are still elusive. A particularly interesting case is the complex formed by bacterial adhesins with their human peptide target. These protein interactions have a force resilience equivalent to those of covalent bonds, an order of magnitude stronger than the widely used streptavidin:biotin complex, while having an ordinary affinity, much lower than that of streptavidin:biotin. Here, in an in silico single-molecule force spectroscopy approach, we use molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the dissociation mechanism of adhesin/peptide complexes. We show how the Staphylococcus epidermidis adhesin SdrG uses a catch-bond mechanism to increase complex stability with increasing mechanical stress. While allowing for thermal dissociation in a low-force regime, an entirely different mechanical dissociation path emerges in a high-force regime, revealing an intricate mechanism that does not depend on the peptide's amino acid sequence. Using a dynamic network analysis approach, we identified key amino acid contacts that describe the mechanics of this complex, revealing differences in dynamics that hinder thermal dissociation and establish the mechanical dissociation path. We then validate the information content of the selected amino acid contacts using their dynamics to successfully predict the rupture forces for this complex through a machine learning model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo C R Melo
- Department of Physics, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849, United States
| | - Diego E B Gomes
- Department of Physics, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849, United States
| | - Rafael C Bernardi
- Department of Physics, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849, United States
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2
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Parreira P, Martins MCL. The biophysics of bacterial infections: Adhesion events in the light of force spectroscopy. Cell Surf 2021; 7:100048. [PMID: 33665520 PMCID: PMC7898176 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcsw.2021.100048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial infections are the most eminent public health challenge of the 21st century. The primary step leading to infection is bacterial adhesion to the surface of host cells or medical devices, which is mediated by a multitude of molecular interactions. At the interface of life sciences and physics, last years advances in atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based force spectroscopy techniques have made possible to measure the forces driving bacteria-cell and bacteria-materials interactions on a single molecule/cell basis (single molecule/cell force spectroscopy). Among the bacteria-(bio)materials surface interactions, the life-threatening infections associated to medical devices involving Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli are the most eminent. On the other hand, Pseudomonas aeruginosa binding to the pulmonary and urinary tract or the Helicobacter pylori binding to the gastric mucosa, are classical examples of bacteria-host cell interactions that end in serious infections. As we approach the end of the antibiotic era, acquisition of a deeper knowledge of the fundamental forces involved in bacteria - host cells/(bio)materials surface adhesion is crucial for the identification of new ligand-binding events and its assessment as novel targets for alternative anti-infective therapies. This article aims to highlight the potential of AFM-based force spectroscopy for new targeted therapies development against bacterial infections in which adhesion plays a pivotal role and does not aim to be an extensive overview on the AFM technical capabilities and theory of single molecule force spectroscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Parreira
- INEB – Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
- i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
| | - M. Cristina L. Martins
- INEB – Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
- i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS – Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
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3
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Spengler C, Nolle F, Thewes N, Wieland B, Jung P, Bischoff M, Jacobs K. Using Knock-Out Mutants to Investigate the Adhesion of Staphylococcus aureus to Abiotic Surfaces. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:11952. [PMID: 34769382 PMCID: PMC8584566 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The adhesion of Staphylococcus aureus to abiotic surfaces is crucial for establishing device-related infections. With a high number of single-cell force spectroscopy measurements with genetically modified S. aureus cells, this study provides insights into the adhesion process of the pathogen to abiotic surfaces of different wettability. Our results show that S. aureus utilizes different cell wall molecules and interaction mechanisms when binding to hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces. We found that covalently bound cell wall proteins strongly interact with hydrophobic substrates, while their contribution to the overall adhesion force is smaller on hydrophilic substrates. Teichoic acids promote adhesion to hydrophobic surfaces as well as to hydrophilic surfaces. This, however, is to a lesser extent. An interplay of electrostatic effects of charges and protein composition on bacterial surfaces is predominant on hydrophilic surfaces, while it is overshadowed on hydrophobic surfaces by the influence of the high number of binding proteins. Our results can help to design new models of bacterial adhesion and may be used to interpret the adhesion of other microorganisms with similar surface properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Spengler
- Experimental Physics and Center for Biophysics, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; (C.S.); (F.N.); (N.T.)
| | - Friederike Nolle
- Experimental Physics and Center for Biophysics, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; (C.S.); (F.N.); (N.T.)
| | - Nicolas Thewes
- Experimental Physics and Center for Biophysics, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; (C.S.); (F.N.); (N.T.)
| | - Ben Wieland
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene and Center for Biophysics, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (B.W.); (P.J.); (M.B.)
| | - Philipp Jung
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene and Center for Biophysics, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (B.W.); (P.J.); (M.B.)
| | - Markus Bischoff
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene and Center for Biophysics, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (B.W.); (P.J.); (M.B.)
| | - Karin Jacobs
- Experimental Physics and Center for Biophysics, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; (C.S.); (F.N.); (N.T.)
- Max Planck School Matter to Life, Jahnstraße 29, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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4
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Suter N, Joshi A, Wunsch T, Graupner N, Stapelfeldt K, Radmacher M, Müssig J, Brüggemann D. Self-assembled fibrinogen nanofibers support fibroblast adhesion and prevent E. coli infiltration. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2021; 126:112156. [PMID: 34082961 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2021.112156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Fibrinogen nanofibers hold great potential for wound healing applications since they mimic the native blood clot architecture and offer important binding sites to support fibroblast adhesion and migration. Recently, we introduced a new method of salt-induced self-assembly to prepare nanofibrous fibrinogen scaffolds. Here, we present our results on the mechanical properties of these scaffolds and their interaction with 3T3 fibroblasts and E. coli bacteria, which we used as model systems for wound healing. Hydrated, nanofibrous fibrinogen scaffolds showed a Young's modulus of 1.3 MPa, which is close to the range of native fibrin. 3T3 fibroblasts adhered and proliferated well on nanofibrous and planar fibrinogen up to 72 h with a less pronounced actin cytoskeleton on nanofibers in comparison to planar fibrinogen. Fibroblasts on nanofibers were smaller with many short filopodia while larger cells with few long filopodia were found on planar fibrinogen. Live cell tracking revealed higher migration velocities on nanofibers in comparison to planar fibrinogen. The growth of E. coli bacteria on nanofibrous fibrinogen was significantly reduced as compared to agar controls with no bacteria migrating through the nanofibers. In summary, we conclude that self-assembled fibrinogen nanofibers could become highly attractive as future scaffolds for wound healing applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naiana Suter
- Institute for Biophysics, University of Bremen, Otto-Hahn-Allee 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Arundhati Joshi
- Institute for Biophysics, University of Bremen, Otto-Hahn-Allee 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Timo Wunsch
- Institute for Biophysics, University of Bremen, Otto-Hahn-Allee 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Nina Graupner
- The Biological Materials Group, Biomimetics-Innovation-Centre, HSB - City University of Applied Sciences Bremen, Neustadtswall 30, 28199 Bremen, Germany
| | - Karsten Stapelfeldt
- Institute for Biophysics, University of Bremen, Otto-Hahn-Allee 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Manfred Radmacher
- Institute for Biophysics, University of Bremen, Otto-Hahn-Allee 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Jörg Müssig
- The Biological Materials Group, Biomimetics-Innovation-Centre, HSB - City University of Applied Sciences Bremen, Neustadtswall 30, 28199 Bremen, Germany
| | - Dorothea Brüggemann
- Institute for Biophysics, University of Bremen, Otto-Hahn-Allee 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany; MAPEX Center for Materials and Processes, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany.
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5
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Beaussart A, Feuillie C, El-Kirat-Chatel S. The microbial adhesive arsenal deciphered by atomic force microscopy. NANOSCALE 2020; 12:23885-23896. [PMID: 33289756 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr07492f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Microbes employ a variety of strategies to adhere to abiotic and biotic surfaces, as well as host cells. In addition to their surface physicochemical properties (e.g. charge, hydrophobic balance), microbes produce appendages (e.g. pili, fimbriae, flagella) and express adhesion proteins embedded in the cell wall or cell membrane, with adhesive domains targeting specific ligands or chemical properties. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is perfectly suited to deciphering the adhesive properties of microbial cells. Notably, AFM imaging has revealed the cell wall topographical organization of live cells at unprecedented resolution, and AFM has a dual capability to probe adhesion at the single-cell and single-molecule levels. AFM is thus a powerful tool for unravelling the molecular mechanisms of microbial adhesion at scales ranging from individual molecular interactions to the behaviours of entire cells. In this review, we cover some of the major breakthroughs facilitated by AFM in deciphering the microbial adhesive arsenal, including the exciting development of anti-adhesive strategies.
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6
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Maikranz E, Spengler C, Thewes N, Thewes A, Nolle F, Jung P, Bischoff M, Santen L, Jacobs K. Different binding mechanisms of Staphylococcus aureus to hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces. NANOSCALE 2020; 12:19267-19275. [PMID: 32935690 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr03134h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial adhesion to surfaces is a crucial step in initial biofilm formation. In a combined experimental and computational approach, we studied the adhesion of the pathogenic bacterium Staphylococcus aureus to hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces. We used atomic force microscopy-based single-cell force spectroscopy and Monte Carlo simulations to investigate the similarities and differences of adhesion to hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces. Our results reveal that binding to both types of surfaces is mediated by thermally fluctuating cell wall macromolecules that behave differently on each type of substrate: on hydrophobic surfaces, many macromolecules are involved in adhesion, yet only weakly tethered, leading to high variance between individual bacteria, but low variance between repetitions with the same bacterium. On hydrophilic surfaces, however, only few macromolecules tether strongly to the surface. Since during every repetition with the same bacterium different macromolecules bind, we observe a comparable variance between repetitions and different bacteria. We expect these findings to be of importance for the understanding of the adhesion behaviour of many bacterial species as well as other microorganisms and even nanoparticles with soft, macromolecular coatings, used e.g. for biological diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Maikranz
- Theoretical Physics, Saarland University, Center for Biophysics, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany.
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7
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Grzeszczuk Z, Rosillo A, Owens Ó, Bhattacharjee S. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) As a Surface Mapping Tool in Microorganisms Resistant Toward Antimicrobials: A Mini-Review. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:517165. [PMID: 33123004 PMCID: PMC7567160 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.517165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The worldwide emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria and viruses due to a plethora of reasons, such as genetic mutation and indiscriminate use of antimicrobials, is a major challenge faced by the healthcare sector today. One of the issues at hand is to effectively screen and isolate resistant strains from sensitive ones. Utilizing the distinct nanomechanical properties (e.g., elasticity, intracellular turgor pressure, and Young’s modulus) of microbes can be an intriguing way to achieve this; while atomic force microscopy (AFM), with or without modification of the tips, presents an effective way to investigate such biophysical properties of microbial surfaces or an entire microbial cell. Additionally, advanced AFM instruments, apart from being compatible with aqueous environments—as often is the case for biological samples—can measure the adhesive forces acting between AFM tips/cantilevers (conjugated to bacterium/virion, substrates, and molecules) and target cells/surfaces to develop informative force-distance curves. Moreover, such force spectroscopies provide an idea of the nature of intercellular interactions (e.g., receptor-ligand) or propensity of microbes to aggregate into densely packed layers, that is, the formation of biofilms—a property of resistant strains (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa). This mini-review will revisit the use of single-cell force spectroscopy (SCFS) and single-molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS) that are emerging as powerful additions to the arsenal of researchers in the struggle against resistant microbes, identify their strengths and weakness and, finally, prioritize some future directions for research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Óisín Owens
- School of Physics, Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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8
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Dufrêne YF, Viljoen A. Binding Strength of Gram-Positive Bacterial Adhesins. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1457. [PMID: 32670256 PMCID: PMC7330015 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial pathogens are equipped with specialized surface-exposed proteins that bind strongly to ligands on host tissues and biomaterials. These adhesins play critical roles during infection, especially during the early step of adhesion where the cells are exposed to physical stress. Recent single-molecule experiments have shown that staphylococci interact with their ligands through a wide diversity of mechanosensitive molecular mechanisms. Adhesin-ligand interactions are activated by tensile force and can be ten times stronger than classical non-covalent biological bonds. Overall these studies demonstrate that Gram-positive adhesins feature unusual stress-dependent molecular interactions, which play essential roles during bacterial colonization and dissemination. With an increasing prevalence of multidrug resistant infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, chemotherapeutic targeting of adhesins offers an innovative alternative to antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yves F Dufrêne
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Catholic University of Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Albertus Viljoen
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Catholic University of Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
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9
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El-Kirat-Chatel S, Beaussart A, Mathelié-Guinlet M, Dufrêne YF. The importance of force in microbial cell adhesion. Curr Opin Colloid Interface Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cocis.2019.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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10
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Swetha TK, Pooranachithra M, Subramenium GA, Divya V, Balamurugan K, Pandian SK. Umbelliferone Impedes Biofilm Formation and Virulence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis via Impairment of Initial Attachment and Intercellular Adhesion. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:357. [PMID: 31681633 PMCID: PMC6813203 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus epidermidis is an opportunistic human pathogen, which is involved in numerous nosocomial and implant associated infections. Biofilm formation is one of the prime virulence factors of S. epidermidis that supports its colonization on biotic and abiotic surfaces. The global dissemination of three lineages of S. epidermidis superbugs highlights its clinical significance and the imperative need to combat its pathogenicity. Thus, in the current study, the antibiofilm activity of umbelliferone (UMB), a natural product of the coumarin family, was assessed against methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis (MRSE). UMB exhibited significant antibiofilm activity (83%) at 500 μg/ml concentration without growth alteration. Microscopic analysis corroborated the antibiofilm potential of UMB and unveiled its potential to impair intercellular adhesion, which was reflected in auto-aggregation and solid phase adherence assays. Furthermore, real time PCR analysis revealed the reduced expression of adhesion encoding genes (icaD, atlE, aap, bhp, ebh, sdrG, and sdrF). Down regulation of agrA and reduced production of secreted hydrolases upon UMB treatment were speculated to hinder invasive lifestyle of MRSE. Additionally, UMB hindered slime synthesis and biofilm matrix components, which were believed to augment antibiotic susceptibility. In vivo assays using Caenorhabditis elegans divulged the non-toxic nature of UMB and validated the antibiofilm, antivirulence, and antiadherence properties of UMB observed in in vitro assays. Thus, UMB impairs MRSE biofilm by turning down the initial attachment and intercellular adhesion. Altogether, the obtained results suggest the potent antibiofilm activity of UMB and the feasibility of using it in clinical settings for combating S. epidermidis infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Velayutham Divya
- Department of Biotechnology, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, India
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11
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Formosa-Dague C, Feuillie C, Beaussart A, Derclaye S, Kucharíková S, Lasa I, Van Dijck P, Dufrêne YF. Sticky Matrix: Adhesion Mechanism of the Staphylococcal Polysaccharide Intercellular Adhesin. ACS NANO 2016; 10:3443-3452. [PMID: 26908275 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.5b07515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The development of bacterial biofilms on surfaces leads to hospital-acquired infections that are difficult to fight. In Staphylococci, the cationic polysaccharide intercellular adhesin (PIA) forms an extracellular matrix that connects the cells together during biofilm formation, but the molecular forces involved are unknown. Here, we use advanced force nanoscopy techniques to unravel the mechanism of PIA-mediated adhesion in a clinically relevant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strain. Nanoscale multiparametric imaging of the structure, adhesion, and elasticity of bacteria expressing PIA shows that the cells are surrounded by a soft and adhesive matrix of extracellular polymers. Cell surface softness and adhesion are dramatically reduced in mutant cells deficient for the synthesis of PIA or under unfavorable growth conditions. Single-cell force spectroscopy demonstrates that PIA promotes cell-cell adhesion via the multivalent electrostatic interaction with polyanionic teichoic acids on the S. aureus cell surface. This binding mechanism rationalizes, at the nanoscale, the well-known ability of PIA to strengthen intercellular adhesion in staphylococcal biofilms. Force nanoscopy offers promising prospects for understanding the fundamental forces in antibiotic-resistant biofilms and for designing anti-adhesion compounds targeting matrix polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Formosa-Dague
- Institute of Life Sciences, Université catholique de Louvain , Croix du Sud, 4-5, bte L7.07.06., B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Cécile Feuillie
- Institute of Life Sciences, Université catholique de Louvain , Croix du Sud, 4-5, bte L7.07.06., B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Audrey Beaussart
- Institute of Life Sciences, Université catholique de Louvain , Croix du Sud, 4-5, bte L7.07.06., B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Sylvie Derclaye
- Institute of Life Sciences, Université catholique de Louvain , Croix du Sud, 4-5, bte L7.07.06., B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Soňa Kucharíková
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, VIB,, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Botany and Microbiology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Iñigo Lasa
- Group of Microbial Communities and Disease, Navarrabiomed-FMS, UPNA, IdiSNA, 31008 Navarra, Spain
| | - Patrick Van Dijck
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, VIB,, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Botany and Microbiology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yves F Dufrêne
- Institute of Life Sciences, Université catholique de Louvain , Croix du Sud, 4-5, bte L7.07.06., B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
- Walloon Excellence in Life sciences and Biotechnology (WELBIO), 1300 Wavre, Belgium
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12
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Aguayo S, Donos N, Spratt D, Bozec L. Nanoadhesion of Staphylococcus aureus onto Titanium Implant Surfaces. J Dent Res 2015; 94:1078-84. [PMID: 26130256 DOI: 10.1177/0022034515591485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Adhesion of bacteria to dental implant surfaces is the critical initial step in the process of biofilm colonization; however, the specific nanoadhesive interactions occurring during the first contact between bacterial cells and biomaterial substrates remain poorly understood. In this report, we utilize single-cell force spectroscopy to characterize the dynamics of the initial interaction between living Staphylococcus aureus cells and machined titanium surfaces at the nanoscale. Values for maximum adhesion force were found to increase from 0-s (-0.27 ± 0.30 nN) to 60-s (-9.15 ± 0.78 nN) surface delays, with similar results observed for total adhesion work (7.39 ± 2.38 and 988.06 ± 117.08 aJ, respectively). Single unbinding events observed at higher surface delays were modeled according to the wormlike chain model, obtaining molecular contour-length predictions of 314.06 ± 9.27 nm. Average single-bond rupture forces of -0.95 ± 0.04 nN were observed at increased contact times. Short- and long-range force components of bacterial adhesion were obtained by Poisson analysis of single unbinding event peaks, yielding values of -0.75 ± 0.04 and -0.58 ± 0.15 nN, respectively. Addition of 2-mg/mL chlorhexidine to the buffer solution resulted in the inhibition of specific adhesive events but an increased overall adhesion force and work. These results suggest that initial attachment of S. aureus to smooth titanium is mostly mediated by short-range attractive forces observed at higher surface delays.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Aguayo
- Department of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - N Donos
- Periodontology Unit, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - D Spratt
- Division of Microbial Diseases, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - L Bozec
- Department of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, London, UK
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13
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Vanzieleghem T, Herman-Bausier P, Dufrene YF, Mahillon J. Staphylococcus epidermidis Affinity for Fibrinogen-Coated Surfaces Correlates with the Abundance of the SdrG Adhesin on the Cell Surface. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2015; 31:4713-4721. [PMID: 25821995 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.5b00360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Staphylococcus epidermidis is a world-leading pathogen in healthcare facilities, mainly causing medical device-associated infections. These nosocomial diseases often result in complications such as bacteremia, fibrosis, or peritonitis. The virulence of S. epidermidis relies on its ability to colonize surfaces and develop thereupon in the form of biofilms. Bacterial adherence on biomaterials, usually covered with plasma proteins after implantation, is a critical step leading to biofilm infections. The cell surface protein SdrG mediates adhesion of S. epidermidis to fibrinogen (Fg) through a specific "dock, lock, and latch" mechanism, which results in greatly stabilized protein-ligand complexes. Here, we combine single-molecule, single-cell, and whole population assays to investigate the extent to which the surface density of SdrG determines the ability of S. epidermidis clinical strains HB, ATCC 35984, and ATCC 12228 to bind to Fg-coated surfaces. Strains that showed enhanced adhesion on Fg-coated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) were characterized by increased amounts of SdrG proteins on the cell surface, as observed by single-molecule analysis. Consistent with previous reports showing increased expression of SdrG following in vivo exposure, this work provides direct evidence that abundance of SdrG on the cell surface of S. epidermidis strains dramatically improves their ability to bind to Fg-coated implanted medical devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Vanzieleghem
- †Laboratory of Food and Environmental Microbiology, Earth and Life Institute (ELI) and ‡ Institute of Life Sciences, Université catholique de Louvain, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Philippe Herman-Bausier
- †Laboratory of Food and Environmental Microbiology, Earth and Life Institute (ELI) and ‡ Institute of Life Sciences, Université catholique de Louvain, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Yves F Dufrene
- †Laboratory of Food and Environmental Microbiology, Earth and Life Institute (ELI) and ‡ Institute of Life Sciences, Université catholique de Louvain, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Jacques Mahillon
- †Laboratory of Food and Environmental Microbiology, Earth and Life Institute (ELI) and ‡ Institute of Life Sciences, Université catholique de Louvain, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
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14
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Potthoff E, Ossola D, Zambelli T, Vorholt JA. Bacterial adhesion force quantification by fluidic force microscopy. NANOSCALE 2015; 7:4070-9. [PMID: 25660231 DOI: 10.1039/c4nr06495j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Quantification of detachment forces between bacteria and substrates facilitates the understanding of the bacterial adhesion process that affects cell physiology and survival. Here, we present a method that allows for serial, single bacterial cell force spectroscopy by combining the force control of atomic force microscopy with microfluidics. Reversible bacterial cell immobilization under physiological conditions on the pyramidal tip of a microchanneled cantilever is achieved by underpressure. Using the fluidic force microscopy technology (FluidFM), we achieve immobilization forces greater than those of state-of-the-art cell-cantilever binding as demonstrated by the detachment of Escherichia coli from polydopamine with recorded forces between 4 and 8 nN for many cells. The contact time and setpoint dependence of the adhesion forces of E. coli and Streptococcus pyogenes, as well as the sequential detachment of bacteria out of a chain, are shown, revealing distinct force patterns in the detachment curves. This study demonstrates the potential of the FluidFM technology for quantitative bacterial adhesion measurements of cell-substrate and cell-cell interactions that are relevant in biofilms and infection biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Potthoff
- Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
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Aguayo S, Donos N, Spratt D, Bozec L. Single-bacterium nanomechanics in biomedicine: unravelling the dynamics of bacterial cells. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2015; 26:062001. [PMID: 25598514 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/26/6/062001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The use of the atomic force microscope (AFM) in microbiology has progressed significantly throughout the years since its first application as a high-resolution imaging instrument. Modern AFM setups are capable of characterizing the nanomechanical behaviour of bacterial cells at both the cellular and molecular levels, where elastic properties and adhesion forces of single bacterium cells can be examined under different experimental conditions. Considering that bacterial and biofilm-mediated infections continue to challenge the biomedical field, it is important to understand the biophysical events leading towards bacterial adhesion and colonization on both biological and non-biological substrates. The purpose of this review is to present the latest findings concerning the field of single-bacterium nanomechanics, and discuss future trends and applications of nanoindentation and single-cell force spectroscopy techniques in biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Aguayo
- Department of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, London, UK
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Zeng G, Müller T, Meyer RL. Single-cell force spectroscopy of bacteria enabled by naturally derived proteins. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2014; 30:4019-4025. [PMID: 24654836 DOI: 10.1021/la404673q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Bringing the study of bacterial adhesion down to a single-cell level is critical for understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in initial bacterial attachment. We have developed a simple and versatile method for making single-cell bacterial probes to study the adhesion of single bacterial cells by atomic force microscopy (AFM). A single-cell probe was made by picking up a bacterial cell from a glass surface using a tipless AFM cantilever coated with a commercial cell adhesive Cell-Tak. The method was applied to four different bacterial strains, and single-cell adhesion was measured on three surfaces (fresh glass, hydrophilic glass, and mica). Attachment to the cantilever was stable during the AFM force measurements that were conducted for 2 h, and viability was confirmed by Live/Dead fluorescence staining at the end of each experiment. The adhesion force and final rupture length were dependent on bacterial strains, surfaces properties, and contact time. The single-cell probe offers control of cell immobilization and thus holds advantages over the commonly used multicell probes with which random immobilization is obtained by submerging the cantilever in a bacterial suspension. The reported method provides a general platform for investigating single-cell interactions of bacteria with different surfaces and other cells by AFM force spectroscopy, thus improving our understanding of the mechanisms of bacterial attachment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanghong Zeng
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Faculty of Science and Technology, Aarhus University , Aarhus 8000, Denmark
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Beaussart A, El-Kirat-Chatel S, Sullan RMA, Alsteens D, Herman P, Derclaye S, Dufrêne YF. Quantifying the forces guiding microbial cell adhesion using single-cell force spectroscopy. Nat Protoc 2014; 9:1049-55. [DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2014.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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